IP Library Granted Patent US 8,754,489
Granted Patent B2
US 8,754,489 · App. 13/605,340 · Granted Jun 17, 2014

Ultrasonic transducer and manufacturing method

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,754,489
App. No.
13/605,340
Granted
Jun 17, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An ultrasonic transducer includes a first electrode, a first insulation film covering the first electrode, a hollow part overlapping the first electrode on the first insulation film, a second insulation film covering the hollow part, a second electrode overlapping the hollow part on the second insulation film, and an interconnection joined to the second electrode. An edge of the first electrode is formed so as to moderate a step of the first electrode.

Claims (31)

1. An ultrasonic transducer, comprising:

(a) a first electrode;

(b) a first insulation film covering the first electrode;

(c) a hollow part overlapping the first electrode on the first insulation film;

(d) a second insulation film covering the hollow part;

(e) a second electrode overlapping the hollow part on the second insulation film; and

(f) an interconnection joined to the second electrode;

wherein an edge of the first electrode is formed so as to moderate a step of the first electrode;

wherein the step of the first electrode is moderated by the first electrode having a taper angle.

2. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1 , wherein the step of the first electrode has a dimension of at least 500 nm.

3. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1 , wherein a width of a portion of the interconnection overlapping the edge of the first electrode viewed from an upper surface, is thicker than a width of another portion of the interconnection not overlapping the edge of the first electrode viewed from the upper surface.

4. An ultrasonic transducer formed on a substrate, comprising:

(a) a first electrode;

(b) a first insulation film covering the first electrode;

(c) a hollow part overlapping the first electrode on the first insulation film;

(d) a second insulation film covering the hollow part;

(e) a second electrode overlapping the hollow part on the second insulation film; and

(f) an interconnection joined to the second electrode;

wherein an edge of the first electrode is formed so as to moderate a step of the first electrode;

wherein the step of the first electrode is moderated by forming a sidewall due to an insulation film on the edge of the first electrode; and

wherein the step of the first electrode has a height dimension extending above the substrate, of at least 500 nm.

5. An ultrasonic transducer, comprising:

(a) a first electrode;

(b) a first insulation film covering the first electrode;

(c) a hollow part overlapping the first electrode on the first insulation film;

(d) a second insulation film covering the hollow part;

(e) a second electrode overlapping the hollow part on the second insulation film; and

(f) an interconnection joined to the second electrode;

wherein an edge of the first electrode is formed so as to moderate a step of the first electrode;

wherein the step of the first electrode is moderated by forming a sidewall due to an insulation film on the edge of the first electrode; and

wherein a width of a portion of the interconnection overlapping the side wall on the edge of the first electrode viewed from an upper surface, is thicker than a width of another portion of the interconnection not overlapping the edge of the first electrode viewed from the upper surface.

Assignments (6)
MERGER Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: FUJIFILM HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
To: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 069869/0742 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 11, 2024
From: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
To: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 069162/0756 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE PROPERTY AND APPLICATION NUMBERS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 058026 FRAME: 0559. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 31, 2022
From: HITACHI LTD.
To: FUJIFILM HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058917/0853 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2021
From: HITACHI, LTD.
To: FUJIFILM HEALTHCARE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058026/0559 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2017
From: HITACHI ALOKA MEDICAL, LTD.
To: HITACHI, LTD.
Reel/Frame 041891/0325 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2014
From: HITACHI, LTD.
To: HITACHI ALOKA MEDICAL, LTD.
Reel/Frame 033045/0609 →